Being able to succeed as a child actor is one thing but being able to succeed as an actor in one’s adulthood is an entirely different ballgame! The following twelve awesome and talented actors entered the Hollywood spotlight at young ages and are still successful in the world of acting to this day. For some child actors, it is easy to fall off the map and lose momentum after getting a little bit older. For these next few actors though, acting was simply something that was in their bones! Their talent showed through from childhood into adulthood and never slowed down.
Some of the actors and actresses on this list are award-winning stars who have appeared in major blockbuster films and on wildly popular TV shows!
12 Michelle Trachtenberg Started Acting At 3 Years Old
Michelle Trachtenberg is an amazing actress who has starred in TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and many more! It might surprise some fans to learn that her very first role ever happened when she was only three years old! Obviously, she decided to stick with acting into her adulthood.
11 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starred On 'Family Ties' As A Youngster
Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred on a show called Family Ties when he was a youngster. He also appeared on a TV series called Third Rock from the Sun as well as the movies River Runs Through It and Angels in the Outfield. Nowadays, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has appeared in plenty of major blockbusters.
10 Lacey Chabert Went From 'Party Of Five' To 'Mean Girls'
Lacey Chabert is another beautiful actress who started off as a child star. She went from starring on a show called Party of Five to growing up and playing the ditzy and adorable character of Gretchen Wieners on Mean Girls. She also stars in several Hallmark holiday films as well.
9 Drew Barrymore Won The World Over In 'E.T.' At Age 7
Drew Barrymore won the world over when she was only seven years old in the movie E.T. She has won several awards in her adult acting career, including the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss and the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
8 Mayim Bialik's First-Ever Movie Was Called 'Pumpkinhead'
Most people recognize Mayim Bialik from her time on Big Bang Theory with Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki. Who would’ve never thought that she rose to fame as a child actress! Her first-ever movie was called Pumpkinhead. She’s moved on to bigger and better things since then!
7 Emma Watson Grew Up Before Our Eyes On 'Harry Potter'
Emma Watson grew up right before our eyes on Harry Potter. She took on the role of Hermione Granger at the age of 10. She is now 30 years old! She grew up in front of the world while starring in each movie from the Harry Potter franchise. She starred in every single movie back to back between 2001 and 2011.
6 Natalie Portman Was Scouted By A Talent Agent At Age 11
Natalie Portman was scouted by a talent agent when she was only 11 years old. The following year, when she was 12, she appeared in her first movie. Nowadays, we recognize Natalie Portman from starring in major blockbusters like Black Swan, Star Wars, No Strings Attached, and more.
5 Ryan Reynolds Was Once A Child Star
As shocking as it may sound, Ryan Reynolds was once a child actor! These days, Ryan Reynolds is known for roles in movies like Deadpool and many more. In his adult acting career, Ryan Reynolds has won several awards including the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance.
4 Chloe Grace Moretz Is Another Starlet That Grew Up In Front Of Audiences
Chloe Chloë Grace Moretz is another gorgeous young starlet that grew up in front of audiences because the first role she took on was when she was a youngster. She is still very young right now because she is only 23 years old yet she is still also now an adult. In her adulthood, she has starred in some awesome films!
3 Scarlett Johansson Starred In 'Manny & Lo' At 12 Years Old
Scarlett Johansson’s first role took place when she was only 12 years old. Nowadays, people recognize Scarlett Johansson from her time playing the character of Black Widow in Marvel films alongside the rest of the Avengers fighting squad. She had been acting for a long time before taking on that role.
2 Christina Ricci Starred In 'Mermaids,' 'The Addams Family,' And More When She Was Young
Christina Ricci is one of the most well-known child stars of all time with a very recognizable face! When she was young, she starred in Mermaids, The Addams Family, and more. As an adult, she’s starred in a lot of interesting psychological thrillers and movies that make viewers think deeply.
1 Leonardo DiCaprio Starred On 'Romper Room' At 5 Years Old
When he was only five years old, Leonardo DiCaprio starred on a TV show called Romper Room briefly before getting fired for being too rowdy. These days, Leonardo DiCaprio is respected in high regard for his acting abilities and talents. He is an award-winning actor with an award-winning smile.